The regulations are due to come into force from April 2015 for adult social care providers and involve the replacement of the existing essential standards of quality and safety, with 11 “fundamental standards” of care.

In addition to these changes, care providers will be required to ensure their directors are “fit and proper persons” to lead a care organisation and be under a “duty of candour” to tell people who use their services and their families about serious failings in their care. These measures will also come into force from next April for adult care providers.

David Behan, chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, said: “Where our inspection teams identify poor care, this guidance will help us to determine whether there is a breach of regulations and if so, what action to take. In some cases, this will mean we will use our powers to prosecute.

“For providers, this will help them to make applications to register or vary their registration with CQC, and to make sure their services do not fall below acceptable levels.”

Providers can respond to the consultation here; the closing date is Friday 17th October 2014.